Olympus E-M1 II vs Sony A33: In-Depth Camera Shootout for the Practical Photographer

Choosing your next camera can feel like navigating a jungle gym of spec sheets, marketing jargon, and anecdotal user reviews. With over 15 years of hands-on testing and reviewing cameras, I’ve made it my mission to cut through the noise and give you insight based on real-world performance, not just “bells and whistles” on paper. Today, we pit the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II (E-M1 II) against Sony’s venerable SLT-A33 (A33), two very different cameras from different eras but with overlapping appeal for enthusiasts looking for capable, versatile gear without breaking the bank.

Whether you’re a working pro, an ambition-fueled hobbyist, or just an all-round photography enthusiast, understanding how these cameras stack up across genres and practical use cases will help you pinpoint which one truly fits your needs and workflow.

Getting to Know the Players: Design and Ergonomics

Let’s start with a tactile comparison - because how a camera feels in your hands can make or break your shooting experience.

The Olympus E-M1 II sports a traditional SLR-style mirrorless body, reasonably compact at 134x91x67mm and tipping the scales at 574g. It’s substantial but not bulky, designed for rugged use with a confident, grippy feel. Weather sealing is built-in, making it a go-to option if you often shoot landscapes or street scenes in unpredictable conditions. The double SD card slots in the E-M1 II are a boon if you’re a workflow purist or heavy shooter (think wildlife bursts or pro event coverage).

In contrast, the Sony A33 is a compact SLR from 2010, smaller but chunkier at 124x92x85mm and 500g. While lighter, it feels a bit more toy-like compared to Olympus’s pro-grade solidness, lacking environmental sealing and sporting just one memory card slot. For street or casual travel photographers who prefer minimalism, the Sony might appeal, but its ergonomics are dated - smaller buttons, limited top-plate controls, and no touchscreen.

The Olympus’s control layout reflects modern pro sensibilities: dedicated dials for ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation. Buttons are well spaced with no fiddly menu dives required to change key parameters. The Sony relies more heavily on button combos and menus - fine if you’re an early DSLR user but stifling for quick adjustments.

Bottom line: Olympus E-M1 II wins ergonomics and build quality, especially for those who shoot in challenging environments or need professional reliability. Sony’s A33 is a passable option for beginners who want a simple, lightweight package.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of the Matter

Now, the real nitty-gritty - image quality and performance driven by sensor tech.

The Olympus E-M1 II uses a 20MP Four Thirds sensor measuring 17.4x13mm, which is notably smaller than Sony’s 14MP APS-C sensor at 23.5x15.6mm. The APS-C sensor’s larger physical size captures more light per pixel, giving it a theoretical edge in noise handling and dynamic range. However, Olympus’s sensor plus the powerful TruePic VIII processor combines to deliver remarkably clean images with impressive detail and color fidelity. Olympus skipped the anti-alias filter, which means sharper images straight out of the camera - a subtle but welcome advantage for landscape and macro shooters craving every micron of sharpness.

Sony’s older sensor, equipped with an anti-alias filter, produces good colors and solid dynamic range for its time (~12.6 EV vs Olympus’s 12.8 EV in DxOMark testing), but the 14MP resolution limits image size and cropping flexibility. The ISO performance is a notable weak point for Sony, with a low-light ISO score half that of Olympus (DxOMark low light ISO 591 vs 1312). So if you often shoot in dim venues or night scenes, Olympus’s sensor and processing have a clear advantage.

The Olympus’s maximum native ISO is 25,600 (compared to Sony’s 12,800), allowing more usable shots in tricky lighting with less noise. Both cameras support RAW, but files from the E-M1 II, thanks to better tonal latitude, provide more leeway in post processing.

Recommendation: For professionals and serious enthusiasts who demand high image quality with flexibility (portraits, landscapes, night photography), Olympus’s sensor is the better long-term tool. Sony A33 is still workable for web-size images or casual shooting, especially in good light.

Live View, Viewfinder, and Screen: Your Window to the World

The shooting experience heavily relies on how you compose and review your shots.

Both cameras have fully articulated 3-inch LCD screens, great for awkward angles, vlogging, or macro work. Olympus offers a slightly higher-resolution screen (1037k dots) with touchscreen capabilities - a huge plus for quick-focus adjustments, menu navigation, and even touch-to-shoot. Sony’s screen is lower resolution and lacks touch, which feels old-school and slower when you’re trying to nail fast-moving subjects or check sharpness.

Olympus’s electronic viewfinder (EVF) outperforms Sony’s here: a bright 2.36M-dot EVF with 0.74x magnification and 100% coverage offers a clear, immersive framing experience. Sony’s EVF resolution (~1.15M dots) and 0.73x magnification is a generation behind, looking comparatively grainy and darker, especially in low light.

If you like shooting outdoors in bright sun or need precise framing for critical compositions like portrait or wildlife shots, Olympus has a solid edge.

Autofocus: Speed, Accuracy, and Subject Tracking

Now let’s get into the autofocus (AF) systems - the unsung heroes determining your keeper rate.

Olympus’s E-M1 II boasts 121 AF points (contrast + phase detection hybrid), spread widely across the frame. The camera delivers exceptionally fast AF acquisition even in low light, with reliable continuous autofocus and tracking that professional sports and wildlife photographers will appreciate. Eye-detection AF is included to keep portraits crisp and focused on eye highlights.

Sony’s A33 uses a 15-point AF system with only 3 cross-type points and relies primarily on phase detection. In my hands-on tests, this system struggles with fast-moving subjects and lagged in continuous AF tracking. No eye or animal eye AF is on board, and face detection, while available, is rudimentary by modern standards.

In burst shooting, Olympus’s 60 fps electronic shutter mode combined with high AF accuracy means you can freeze fast action effectively - ideal for sports and wildlife enthusiasts. Sony maxes out at 7 fps, a respectable speed in 2010 but an obvious bottleneck today.

Versatility Across Photography Genres

How do these cameras perform in real-world shooting styles?

Portrait Photography

Olympus’s Micro Four Thirds sensor creates a deeper depth of field than full-frame but still delivers pleasant background separation, especially with fast prime lenses. The 5-axis image stabilization helps when shooting wide apertures handheld. Its skin tone rendering is accurate and natural, aided by exposure and color controls. Eye AF improves subject isolation.

Sony’s larger APS-C sensor and 1.5x crop factor give you better subject separation - bokeh is softer with equivalent glass. However, the older AF system’s inability to consistently lock eyes hurts keeper rates during dynamic sessions. Color rendition is pleasing but a step behind Olympus’s more recent color science.

Landscape Photography

The Olympus shines in landscapes with superb dynamic range and solid resolution. Its smaller sensor does sacrifice some pixel pitch, but the anti-alias filter omission preserves sharp detail. The rugged weather sealing is critical for outdoor shoots in adverse weather. Focus stacking and bracketing allow expansive depth and HDR capabilities.

Sony’s larger sensor collects more light, beneficial in shadow retrieval. However, its lack of weather sealing limits outdoor use. No built-in focus stacking or bracketing functions, meaning you’ll need extra post-processing or add-ons for HDR or extended depth-of-field work.

Wildlife and Sports Photography

Olympus takes a clear lead here: 60fps burst mode, large autofocus point array, and powerful in-body stabilization make it a workhorse for chasing birds or athletes. The 2.1x crop factor effectively doubles your telephoto reach without extra glass investment.

Sony’s A33 can handle casual wildlife but struggles with AF tracking and burst speed - making it unreliable for sports pros or serious wildlife photographers.

Street Photography

Sony’s smaller size and lighter body make it more discreet and manageable for street shooters. The built-in flash offers some fill-in in low light. However, Olympus’s weather sealing and better AF ease confidence for unpredictable urban environments.

Macro Photography

Olympus supports focus stacking and bracketing - features that are gold for macro shooters pushing depth-of-field limits. Its 5-axis stabilization is also critical when working close to your subject handheld. Sony lacks these options and isn’t optimized for macro precision.

Night and Astro Photography

Olympus’s superior high ISO performance and exposure bracketing features allow longer exposures without noise stepping on detail. Sony’s older sensor and processor struggle at high ISO settings, leading to muddy shadows and color shifts.

Video Capabilities: How Do They Stack Up?

Video is an increasingly important feature for many buyers.

The Olympus E-M1 II records 4K UHD video up to 30p (4,096x2,160 at 24p also available) in MOV H.264 format with linear PCM audio. It includes microphone and headphone jacks for real-time monitoring and enhanced control. The camera’s 5-axis stabilization works wonders for handheld video, smoothing out jittery footage - a rare trait in cameras of this class.

Sony’s A33 maxes out at 1080p Full HD with 60p recording in AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. Microphone input is present, but no headphone jack for monitoring. No 4K, no advanced image stabilization; video quality is serviceable but fairly basic in today’s terms.

If you plan to create multimedia content, Olympus’s E-M1 II has the clear advantage for image quality, stabilization, and flexibility.

Workflow and Connectivity

Olympus includes built-in Wi-Fi with an intuitive smartphone app, allowing remote shooting, image transfer, and camera control. Dual card slots and USB 3.0 fast transfer make backing up files painless. The battery life is rated at 350 shots - average but adequate considering the camera’s feature set.

Sony’s A33 offers Eye-Fi card compatibility (for wireless transfers) but no native Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Its USB 2.0 and single card slot aren’t up to today’s speed demands. Battery life is similar, though the camera is lighter.

Price vs Performance: Who Offers the Best Bang for Your Buck?

Olympus’s E-M1 II launched around $1,700 and remains a professional-grade tool with features justifying that price - weather sealing, fast burst rates, advanced AF, and 4K video inside a robust body.

Sony’s A33, at a budget-friendly $230 used (it’s discontinued), targets beginners or enthusiasts seeking a low-cost starting point. But you pay for it in outdated tech and fundamental limitations.

If budget is severely limited but you want a decent starter APS-C for general photography with an eye towards learning DSLR basics, Sony is a valid choice. If you value longevity, versatility, and professional features, Olympus is well worth the investment.

Summing It Up: Performance Ratings and Recommendations

My Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which?

Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II if…

• You need a rugged, professional-grade body for any lighting or weather condition
• You shoot fast action - sports, wildlife, or events requiring high burst rates and great tracking
• You want advanced autofocus with eye detection for portraits
• You’re keen on versatile video with 4K and in-body stabilization
• You require dual card slots and fast workflow integration
• You shoot landscapes, macro, or night scenes demanding high dynamic range and image stability
• Budget allows for a quality, future-proof investment

Opt for the Sony A33 if…

• You’re just starting out and need a budget-friendly, entry-level camera for learning DSLR basics
• You prefer a smaller, lightweight design that’s easy to carry around casually
• Your main focus is everyday snapshots, street photography, and video at 1080p
• You plan to upgrade soon but want something inexpensive to practice on
• You don’t mind the dated AF system or limited burst and video features

A Parting Shot

Every camera has a story, and these two are no exception. The Olympus E-M1 II is a testament to steady, confident engineering aimed squarely at the demanding enthusiast and professional who need dependability and versatility. Meanwhile, the Sony A33 stands as a budget gateway into interchangeable lens photography - a stepping stone, not a destination.

Ultimately, matching your photographic ambitions with the right tool will bring more joy and less frustration to your creative journey. Hopefully, this hands-on comparison has illuminated the strengths, tradeoffs, and real-world impacts of each camera, helping you move closer to your ideal setup.

Happy shooting!

Olympus E M1 II front Olympus E M1 II screen back Sony A33 screen back